Pickups Plus Expands Into Illinois

    CINCINNATI--Oct. 9, 2002--Pickups Plus, Inc. (OTCBB:PUPS), a leading retailer and national franchiser in the $30 billion truck and SUV aftermarket accessories industry, announced today its newest franchise in Springfield, Illinois.
    Sean Fitzgerald, President, stated, "The store owned and operated by Brandon Brown and his wife Letitia will be located at 391 Pintail Drive, Springfield, Illinois. Current construction of this new 5,000 sq. ft. free-standing building is nearing completion with the opening date set for November 1, 2002."
    "This is the 9th franchise location for Pickups Plus and the Illinois market fits with our overall plan of expansion in the Midwest with franchisees being serviced from the Cincinnati distribution center, stated Gary Hoyle, Vice President of Franchise Operations."

    About Pickups Plus
    Pickups Plus is a leading national operator and franchiser of retail stores dedicated to the sale and installation of quality aftermarket accessories for pickup trucks and SUV's. Pickups Plus currently operates four corporate retail stores and has another eight franchise stores throughout seven states. After several years of extensive development and testing of its franchise system, the Company is starting a nationwide expansion in corporate, franchise and dealer locations to become the first national chain in the growing, but highly fragmented industry.

    Safe Harbor Statement: Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known risk and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results in the future to differ materially from forecasted results.